Key Points:

* This book is from one of our most promising clinical focus series providing an overview of difficult asthma by recognised international experts.

* Provides a focussed, up-to-date summary of clinical assessment and management of this complex clinical problem, which will be invaluable for clinicians aiming to establish an optimised clinical service.

* Defines the current scientific understanding of the immunological mechanisms and disease heterogeneity that are important in refractory asthma.

* Gives an insight into how having refractory asthma can affect the physical and psychological aspects of a person's life and outlines the societal cost and economic burden of this condition.

* Examines the role of novel therapeutic strategies for refractory asthma.